Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

OUtober 15, i 92 i 2055 "JUDGMENT" (World Film Corp.) listorical Drama Adapted From Victor Hugo Play '.rUDGMENT" is a historical drama adapted from "Mary Tudor,*' * I the play by Victor Hugo, which in turn, was founded on that porr tion of the life of Mary, Queen of England, during which an adventurer enjoyed the confidence of the queen and was generally li to be her lover. presents rare acting opportunities for Ellen Richter in the title role •T forrounds her with a most capable cast of types in supporting parts, iiiclure has been produced in a fine atmosphere and is especially ulable in its detail. The costuming is good and the sets provided It. [ilot of " Judgment " begins with scenes showing an intrigae of the jdor from the Court of Spain intended to trick " Mary Tudor " lieving that her lover is unfaithful, and then induces the queen to [ his death. For this purpose the Spaniard secures the aid of an J i-h craftsman and his sweetheart. The girl proclaims the adventurer ■ ;r lover and is corroborated by the craftsman. The adventurer and k -raftsman are thrown in prison, both to be beheaded. e queen's love, however, proves stronger than her desire for revenge ai through the peasant girl she plans to bribe the prison guards to JJ. the adventurer to escape, the craftsman to be beheaded in his place. Q peasant girl, however, uses the queen's gold to effect the release of ^■raftsman, her true lover, and the adventurer goes to his death, the T II learning of the miscarriage of her plans too late to countermand the lie had signed that the demands of her subjects might be satisfied. . ttire ends at this point, the inference being that the craftsman and etheart are to be rewarded for their part in the affair, feature has been nicely titled and the photography is good throughm The story builds steadily to its tragic climax and the continuity is hes8. — Length, 6 reels. — J. S. Dickerson. Imbers of the cast with the exception of Ellen Richter playing the role of *iry Tudor " not credited. ector or cameraman not given credit. ited and titled by Harry Chandlee and William Laub. PRESS NOTICE— STORY |udjpnent," a historical drama founded on the reign of Mary Tudor, Queen ^e Scots in England, is the feature attraction at the days' engagement beginning theatre for k mt picttire is in six reels and is presented as one of the most dramatic and • acted productions of the season. teUs the story of " Bloody Mary," and her adventurous Italian lover, alleged If story to have been in complete power during a portion of the queen's reign ■ he conspiracy to enhance his own standing by influencing the decree of death ■ who stood in his way. ' ; drama is furnished by the twist to the plot when the wily ambassador from i'.ouit of Spain by a trick convinces Mary that her lover is unfaithful and as ge she sentences him to death at the hands of the headsman, only to regret ctton and anempt to save his life by bribing the guards. How she fails in Then a peasant girl who has been working with the Ambassador uses the gold i> her by the queen to free her own lover, makes a climax seldom equalled ■ licture. : role of Mary is played by Ellen Richter and the supporting cast is an X ent one. Many big scenes are used and the attention to detail and historical ia is remarkable. iidgment " is one of the big pictures of the year jmd should interest every A -e patron. T the PROGRAM READER In^o life of Mary, Queen of Scots, with its intrigues in Court life, is depicted in a super special photoplay announced for showing at the — theatre for a days' showing beginning , the title of " Judginent." picture is a magnificent spectacle telling in a dramatic way how the advenlover of the queen lost his head when the Ambassador from the Spanish king d Mary into believing the man was unfaithful, influenced her into ordering ath and then regretting her action tried to save his life by bribing the guards Bd the wrong man to the gallows, only to be again outwitted by the wily [ard. I ■ irole of Mary is played by Ellen Richter, a European actress who demonstrates ■ istrionic ability m a part calling for emotional acting and versatility. Miss ■ er is the unhappy queen to the life. The supporting cast, a large one con * g many important parts, is faultless and contributes quite as much to the J ss of the feature as does the star. Many big sets have been required and * onosphere of the English court of the period is perfect. idgment " recommends itself to the theatregoers who appreciate good acting * strongly dramatic story, told in a forceful, logical manner. 'Herat the classes in the various schools where English history is being studied, "Wycp's clubs, etc. Get a list of the people who read historical novels from "WiBnuies and mail them special invitations. Bill as a historical spectacle, using ■^foryoiir display ads in the papers. For lobby display use sixteenth century ■^acks if you can get them. Trumpeters in costume to announce your shows, etc., will get attention. Prologue numbers should be musical using old airs. SUGGESTIONS CATCH LINES Iramatic photoplay, historically correct, concerning the life of Mary, Queen 5 3tt and her adventurer lover who lost his head when a wily Spaniard of the ~ by intrigue convinced the queen the man was unfaithful. "AFTER MIDNIGHT" (Selznick) Satisfying Entertainment Derived from This Dual Role Melodrama P.VTRONS of the "program" theatre are apt to find satisfying entertainment from this dual role melodrama which features Conway Tearle as twin brothers — one of whom is an apostle of virtue, the other a disciple of wickedness. Except for the fact that the premise of this dual characterization places a premium upon the wife's intelligence when the good brother assumes the husband's place the picture is entirely logical and certainly melodramatic enough to please those who are ever in search of susjjense. The locale of the story is San Francisco's Chinatown and a society section of the city. The action opens with the interior of a Chinese den, which is ostensibly a restaurant on the surface, but which in reality harbors an opium joint. The introductory sequence offers a note of mystery owing to the inability to identify properly the Occidental figure lounging about the place. He is lured to a back room and invited to look upon the misshapen features of his twin brother. Since the former has been a derelict it does not take much suggestion from certain crooks for him to step into his brother's shoes and assist them in their nefarious scheme of securing title to valuable papers. The suspense is usually keen in these Oriental stories, for on© anticipates a line of mystery because of the emphasized suggestion that things are not above board. The derelict brother steps into his brother's shoes and safely hides his identity from his twin's wife. The latter character is pictured as being very much disillusioned because of her husband's indifferent attitude and his fondness for drink. Therefore his cue is to appear a trifle unsteady in step and not very certain in poise. However his better nature asserts itself because of the faith of his brother's spouse and he decides to play square. The picture drags a trifle in these scenes owing to the intent of the author or director to differentiate the characters. However, when the crooks realize that their prey has not encouraged their scheme they kidnap the wife and lug her to Chinatown. And so the feature introduces its punch scene. The pseudo husband follows in pursuit and succeeds in routing the crooks by employing a good right arm — and left. It is a rapid-action scene, filled with creditable melodrama. The bad brother dies and the hero registers his identity. It is enough to state that his good qualities are sufficient to bring a newfound happiness to the heroine. The picture is well staged as to interiors and locations and is adequately acted by the star, who plays his part with effective sincerity, and Zena Keefe, who plays the wife with much persuasion and appeal. — Length, 5 reels. — Laairence Reid. — PRESS NOTICE— STORY An adventurous story of Oriental intrigue — a fascinating story of twin brothers, one of whom was susceptible to weaknesses, the other, possessing sufficient moral courage to keep his head above temptation — an enlivened story of crime, deception, mystery and romance — that is " After Midnight," the Selznick attraction that will be the feature offering at the theatre next starring Conway Tearle. The popular star is supported by a well balanced cast that includes Zena Keefe as his leading woman. John Lynch wrote the story while Ralph Ince directed. The weak twin had married, but abused his privileges and became such a sodden figure that his wife despaired of ever finding happiness. One night in Chinatown in an opium joint, the stronger brother is lured to a backroom and invited to assume his twin's identity. He jumps at the opportunity since it means that he will find shelter and rest from a derelict existence. The clash of events which subsequently happen are enough to keep the observer in a high state of suspense. The picture is well balanced with dramatic ingredients, is always appealing in its technical equipment and is ably acted. PROGRAM READER Can a brother assimie his twin's identity and successfully keep that identity from his closest relatives and friends? Is there some trick of gesture or speech which might not be discovered? Conway Tearle, that popular star who has established a large folloiwing through his ability to interpret his stories with fine sincerity, plays twin brothers in " After Midnight " and succeeds in hiding his identity during the masquerade. He has a reason. Yet the brothers axe so identical in resemblance and mannerisms that the deception is thoroughly successful. This is only an inkling of the interesting plot which features " After Midnight." At the theatre next . SUGGESTIONS Feattire this as an interesting exposition of dual identity. Place stress upon the fact that brothers who are twins can successfully masquerade so that the closest relative cannot distinguish them. Play up that Conway Tearle has acting opportunities here which wUl further increase his following. Play it up as an exciting, adventurous melodrama on a theme which always holds the attention. For a prologue you can put over a Chinese setting with Oriental figures engaged in song or some characteristic business. Use the title as a means to stimulate curiosity by asking your crowd what occurs after midnight. CATCH LINES After midnight the criminal stalks his prey. After midnight the shadows are deepest. See Conway Tearle in the adventurotis melodrama, " After Midnight." 10 Plan Book Reviews for this issue — written from the viewpoint of serving the exhibitor